The Overweight Pet Revolution

In recent decades, pets have been packing on the pounds as the humans who love them shower them with morsels of affection. But there's a new revolution underway, a pet shape-up campaign, and you'd be surprised at just what's at stake.

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) reports that more than half of all dogs and cats are overweight and many people don't even realize it. And those pets are destined to live shorter lives, as much as 20 percent shorter than their slimmer counterparts. Illness will creep in, affecting quality of life through osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing problems and kidney disease.

APOP's founder Dr. Ernie Ward encourages pet lovers to increase exercise and lay off the treats. "Treats are the silent saboteur of slimming down. Those tiny treats are often hiding a significant amount of calories."